Difference in Suspensions

[Skywlkr]

Anyone know the difference between the Mazdaspeed, Eibach and RPM suspension? Anyone have the mazdaspeed or RPM? I say the thread on the eibach and am leaning toward them, but the RPM are under $300. (dunno)

 

[chuyler1]

I'm not sure the RPM springs are out yet. Where did you find that info?

 

[Skywlkr]

I'm not sure the RPM springs are out yet. Where did you find that info?

I'm not sure if they are either, but there is a lot of information about them on another site. I was curious if the deisgn behind them all was similar. (PM if you would like the link to the info)

 

[chuyler1]

This should help you out...
README: Mazda6/MS6 lowering options

The Mazdaspeed suspension is an upgrade for the regular 6 and will not provide any benefit to a Mazdaspeed6 owner. The Eibachs will work but have a very soft spring rate compared to the stock MS6 suspension and therefore will only lower height...but not improve or even maintain performance. The RPM springs, when released will provide a 20% stiffer rate up front and 35% stiffer rate in the rear while dropping the car 1". If you want a 2" drop you should consider the Megan Racing springs.

 

[Armyguy1104]

Im not so sure about that. I've had the Eibachs for a couple weeks now and can definitely tell a difference, especially at high speeds while turning. I may be wrong but I doubt thats all do to the lowering of the vehicle itself.

 

[chuyler1]

Well, the Eibachs are an improvement over the stock Mazda6 suspension so they are by no means luxury-liner springs. They just aren't on par with what Mazda gave us. You may enjoy the slightly softer ride, but if you were to throw the car around a slalom or autox course you would notice a difference.

 

[Klip]

Chuyler, which Eibach springs are you referring to? the Sports or Pro. I am only interested in getting the lowered look without decreasing ride (comfort) at all. If what you are saying about the Eibachs is true (softer ride) that may be what I am looking for. Please advise and yes I read your post about all the different suspensions but most of you guys know more about these things than me and I am looking for a recommendation.

Thanks

 

[chuyler1]

If that's what you want, I'm sure the Eibachs will be fine. Many had concerns about the rear being lower than the front but from the photos I've seen this is not the case. The drop appears to be uniform. The only other concern would be bottoming out. It will help if you cut the bump stops but I would still expect a little bottoming out with full load (3 passengers and luggage). And as always, for best results consider upgrading the struts at the same time.

 

[Armyguy1104]

You're speaking of a Mazda6 and we are talking about a MazdaSpeed6. The ride is if anything stiffer then the springs that was on it from the factory. As for the measurements the front drops 1.5 and the rear 1.4 with the pro kit.

 

[Klip]

You're speaking of a Mazda6 and we are talking about a MazdaSpeed6. The ride is if anything stiffer then the springs that was on it from the factory. As for the measurements the front drops 1.5 and the rear 1.4 with the pro kit.

To clarify, I am talking about a 06 MS6.

 

[chuyler1]

You're speaking of a Mazda6 and we are talking about a MazdaSpeed6. The ride is if anything stiffer then the springs that was on it from the factory. As for the measurements the front drops 1.5 and the rear 1.4 with the pro kit.

I have been talking about the speed6 from the beginning so I'm not sure who your comment was targeted toward.

I will stand by my comments. The Eibach springs are going to be softer or possibly the same stiffness as the stock MS6 springs. But they reduce the travel of your suspension so that is why you want a stiffer spring to prevent bottoming out on the bump stops.

The Eibachs are also progressive vs linear. For a Mazda6 they have a nice sweet spot for normal driving where they can be soft but when you corner hard the rate should stiffen up to provide support and reduce body roll. Due to the weight of the MS6 the sweet spot is reduced because there is already more force on the springs.

If you just want a lowering upgrade, the Eibachs will be perfectly fine. But if you want a performance upgrade as well, consider one of the MS6-specific options.

 

[Armyguy1104]

I have been talking about the speed6 from the beginning so I'm not sure who your comment was targeted toward.

I will stand by my comments. The Eibach springs are going to be softer or possibly the same stiffness as the stock MS6 springs. But they reduce the travel of your suspension so that is why you want a stiffer spring to prevent bottoming out on the bump stops.

The Eibachs are also progressive vs linear. For a Mazda6 they have a nice sweet spot for normal driving where they can be soft but when you corner hard the rate should stiffen up to provide support and reduce body roll. Due to the weight of the MS6 the sweet spot is reduced because there is already more force on the springs.

If you just want a lowering upgrade, the Eibachs will be perfectly fine. But if you want a performance upgrade as well, consider one of the MS6-specific options.

In one of your other posts you mentioned a Mazda6 and made the comparison between the the stock suspension and Eibachs for that vehicle, thats why I made that comment.

Im not trying to be argumentative but I'm not sure how you are coming to your conclusions...especially if you havent driven the vehicle with the springs installed, unless you have then I retract my previous statement. Its almost as though you are saying there is nothing gained except the looks by installing the Pro Kit, and I beg to differ as I am sure the others on this forum that installed the springs will do as well. There are several other posts where the individuals claim improved handling over the stock suspension with the Pro Kit. Some state they notice little to no difference in ride quality but in my personal opinion it feels much stiffer as you recieve much more feedback from the road, at least on poorly paved surfaces.

 

[chuyler1]

I would site my source...but the powers that be won't let me post links to other Mazda6 sites. I personally haven't ridden on Eibachs but I read at least one review from someone who has installed both Eibachs and Megans on their speed6 and said the rear end felt loose with the Eibachs and the Megans were a significant improvement. Seeing as the Megans are cheaper I don't see why anyone would go with the Eibachs. But I'm done arguing about it.

If it works for you, or anyone else...its not my place to stop you from using them...as long as everyone who plans to purchase them in the future is made aware that the Eibach springs are in fact designed for the Mazda6 and were not specifically engineered for the speed6.

 

[LBV]

I'm in the process of installing the Eibach Pro Kit this weekend - did the fronts this afternoon, will do the rears tomorrow. I took measurements before and I'll try to report back with my personal observations in a few days.

 

[MazdaJeff]

I got scared into the autoexe springs. I have them on order.

While they don't lower the car as much as I would like, having a set of springs made for another car just doesn't seem right.

Obviously this just my opinion.

 

[Armyguy1104]

Maybe its foolish on my part to believe this, but I would think a company like Eibach would test their product before they just sell it for another vehicle. Why would they risk their rep like that just to make a few more dollars. Especially considering in the end they would make much more money keeping their rep then they would selling a few thousand for the MS6's. Think about it...

 

[Rainman]

I have been thinking about what springs to buy for a while, but recently I have been wondering whether I should lower the car at all.

While I definitely like the lowered look and would love to have better handling characteristics I have found that I have bottomed out at the stock height on a road with a high crown several times when fully loaded (three young teen kids and luggage) this winter. In addition, I have had some rubbing on the fenders with my winter tires when fully loaded. They are only very slightly off the overall diameter of the OEM tires.

All of this has caused me to wonder how much worse these problems would be if I had the car lowered by 1-2".

In the end, I'll probably lower it anyway (AutoEXE or Megan Racing) but this is something to think about.

R

 

[LBV]

Maybe its foolish on my part to believe this, but I would think a company like Eibach would test their product before they just sell it for another vehicle. Why would they risk their rep like that just to make a few more dollars. Especially considering in the end they would make much more money keeping their rep then they would selling a few thousand for the MS6's. Think about it...

I agree completely. There are a lot of people that are living virtually when it comes to springs - in other words, they're quoting spring rate this and progressive that and it's all # crunching on paper or in peoples minds. Sometimes it's better to stop over-analysing something and "just do it", especially when others have already done it and are more than happy.

I just put the Eibach's on and although I haven't driven it much, I'd say it's perhaps 5% stiffer than stock with, right now anyway, an even 1.25" drop all-around.

Another interesting fact, IIRC correctly, people are saying that the MS6 stock springs are linear ... well guess what, the fronts are progressive, just like the Eibachs & I've got pics to prove it.

Lou

 

[chuyler1]

Honestly, the only way to truely know is to drive two cars back to back. Personally, I would trust "living on the internet" statistics to one or two people's testimonials who have not compared what they bought to anything else.

 

[Japan8]

I agree completely. There are a lot of people that are living virtually when it comes to springs - in other words, they're quoting spring rate this and progressive that and it's all # crunching on paper or in peoples minds. Sometimes it's better to stop over-analysing something and "just do it", especially when others have already done it and are more than happy.

I just put the Eibach's on and although I haven't driven it much, I'd say it's perhaps 5% stiffer than stock with, right now anyway, an even 1.25" drop all-around.

Another interesting fact, IIRC correctly, people are saying that the MS6 stock springs are linear ... well guess what, the fronts are progressive, just like the Eibachs & I've got pics to prove it.

Lou

Then stop buying new cars. They are heavily planned and designed virtually. All on computer. Testing? All of the initial testing is all done by simulation. Yes, in the end there is road testing and VEQ, etc. but much of the time and work is all spent on computer.

I don't know who's been saying that the MS6 stock springs are linear here, but no one on Mazda 6 club . com says or thinks so. So just because whomever has been saying it here doesn't really mean a whole lot of anything.

Progressive springs suck. Nice in theory and bad in practice. No? Drop a set on the front forks and rear shock of your sport motorcycle and take a good hard ride through the mountains. At the end, you tell me how much you like how progressive springs handle when pushed.

Eibach doesn't give a rats ass about their "reputation". They are a business and thus here to make money. The MS6 suspension is the same as the Mazda 6, so why not cut corners? MS6 market is very small and it's not like anyone will know the difference... they already have this "reputation" so people will believe that they've been engineered for the MS6... until you compare spring rates. But how many people out there do that? how many people here have done that before commenting? Try and paint it however you will, but a spring rate that is both LESS than that of the stock MS6 springs and was designed for the V6 Mazda 6 is obviously not going to provide better handling than the stock MS6 springs. Drive it and see? You car is either almost, or pretty much riding on the bump stops. There isn't enough suspension travel to make that kind of a drop and to be able to keep the car off the bump stops, particularly in corners. The fact that the springs are meant to lower a LIGHTER car means that on a HEAVIER car it will ride even lower and have less suspension travel. So yeah... it will SEEM to be better... have less bodyroll, but at 9/10, it ain't the same as the real thing.